"Obviously, I support the goals of affordable housing. Obviously, I support the goals of respite care," said Coun. Jim Hanson.

"[But] we can't impose our view of community planning on these local communities without input and consultation."

'We are not against affordable housing'

The proposal would have seen the district give land currently owned by the municipality to the Catalyst Community Developments Society. The ground level would have been a seniors' respite care facility, and the second to fifth storeys rental housing.

Rent for all 80 units would have been priced below the market average, from $1,000-$1,260 for a studio to $1,663-$2,550 for a three-bedroom unit.

After Monday's vote, Little said he was hopeful Catalyst would continue to work with the city on a project for the land, possibly with less density, or more social housing instead of below market rental.

"I look forward to working with the applicant and neighbours and hopefully we we can come up with something that can work with the site," he said.

Not a case of NIMBYism: mayor

Little said he would have preferred another public hearing, so the new group of councillors could have been involved in the process, instead of voting on something entirely worked on by the previous government.

"Hopefully, any next process won't have the same closure problem where council can't discuss the matter, and instead we'll be able to fully discuss it with the community," he said.